Applications Are Open for the 2023 USA International Ballet Competition

The USA International Ballet Competition is gearing up for the 12th time, and applications are open! The two-week competition, held every four years in Jackson, Mississippi, hosts dancers ages 15–28 from around the globe as they compete for medals, cash prizes and company contracts. The competition will run June 10–24, and this year USA IBC will waive application fees for Ukrainian dancers and provide additional financial assistance if they are selected to compete.

USA IBC announced the members of its 2023 international jury on October 31. Former American Ballet Theatre principal John Meehan will chair the jury for the third time; other jurors include Paloma Herrera, Frank Andersen, Hae Shik Kim, Angel Corella, Lauren Anderson, Ashley Wheater, Feng Ying, Stanton Welch, Robert Curran and André Lewis.

Throughout the competition, dancers showcase classical and contemporary repertoire and attend daily ballet classes taught by renowned faculty members of the concurrently running USA IBC Dance School, directed this year by Ballet Mississippi artistic director David Keary. As in past years, all competitors will be provided with free housing and meals for the duration of the competition.

Upcoming Important Dates

January 16, 2023: Competitor application (Part 1) deadline

February 16, 2023: Competitor application (Part 2) deadline

March 16, 2023: Applicants notified of selection